KC Chiefs have options to add some pass rush depth

Second Tier Edge Options

The players in this tier don’t have the big name (and probably upside) that those in the first tier options did, but could still be solid starting options at a lesser cost. Once again the player’s age, height/weight, sacks/games played for the last three seasons, and 2020 Pro Football Focus grades are included.

Everson Griffen

• 33 years old
• 6-foot-3 and 273 pounds
• 2020: 6 sacks/14 games, 2019: 8 sacks/15 games, 2018: 5.5 sacks/11 games
• 2020 PFF Grades: 63.2 overall, 73.6 pass rush, 54.5 run defense

Everson Griffen is actually one of my top fits on this list for the Chiefs. Griffen is definitely at the tail end of his career, but he has been able to maintain some pass rush productivity.

While Griffen didn’t grade out well versus the run last season, his pass rush grade was still one of the highest of anyone available and his 19.5 sacks over the past three seasons is more than Melvin Ingram has had, is tied with Olivier Vernon, and trails only Justin Houston out of all available free agent edge defenders.

I wouldn’t want Griffen playing every down, but if you had someone like Jones playing in the base defense and just used Griffen on the outside on clear passing downs I think he could be a valuable part of K.C.’s rotation. Plus, he has the size Steve Spagnuolo likes in his defensive ends that would allow him to move him around the line at times.

Trent Murphy

• 30 years old
• 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds
• 2020: 2 sacks/10 games, 2019: 5 sacks/16 games, 2018: 4 sacks/13 games
• 2020 PFF Grades: 65.6 overall, 68.2 pass rush, 56.2 run defense

Trent Murphy is a guy that might not be as exciting as the other names on this list so far, but would add some valuable starting experience to the rotation. It’s hard to get too excited about a guy that only has 11 sacks over the last three seasons combined and graded out pretty poorly against the run last season. Murphy is one of those low quality starter/high quality back up type players. I don’t think there is much upside here, but if KC wanted another veteran guy to provide depth and it was a cheap one year contract I would be fine with it.

Adrian Clayborn

• 33 years old
• 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds
• 2020: 3.5 sacks/15 games, 2019: 4 sacks/15 games, 2018: 2.5 sacks/14 games
• 2020 PFF Grades: 57.8 overall, 61.8 pass rush, 46.4 run defense

Adrian Clayborn is a veteran with a lot of starting experience, but I’m not sure that he’s the best fit for the Chiefs at this point. Clayborn has the size to be an inside/outside player on the defensive front that Steve Spagnuolo likes, but he’s not a big pass rush presence off the edge and that’s really where the Chiefs could use some help. They have plenty of interior rushers on the roster, so that aspect of his game just isn’t needed at this point.

Clayborn would add another body to the rotation and could provide some insurance in case Clark misses some games, but he would probably be my last choice of these second tier options.

Jabaal Sheard

• 32 years old
• 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds
• 2020: 1.5 sacks/10 games, 2019: 4.5 sacks/13 games, 2018: 5.5 sacks/16 games
• 2020 PFF Grades: 66.5 overall, 62.4 pass rush, 70.0 run defense

Jabaal Sheard isn’t a guy that you hear mentioned much in the free agent edge conversation, but I’d argue that he’s just as good of option (if not better) than someone like Trent Murphy or Adrian Clayborn. Sheard hasn’t put up big sack numbers in recent years, but when you compare his 11.5 sacks over the past three seasons it’s actually a half a sack more than Murphy and 1.5 more than Clayborn, and Sheard’s run defense grade was noticeably better than both of those players last season as well.

I’d still prefer Griffen over him because of his better pass rush ability, but Sheard would be my second choice for the Chiefs out of these second tier options.

Finally, let’s look at some long shot options that might be worth a try out in training camp, but probably couldn’t be counted on as reliable options.